Jar-top-removing device



a. T. SHELEY JAR TOP REMOVING DEVICE May 22, 1928.

Filed June 10, 1927 g'rvventoz GEORGE T. SHELBY w: a. f r W ammw,

Patented May 22, 1928.

UNITED STATES v 1,670,828 PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE TILLMAN SHELBY, 0]! INDIANAPOLTB, INDIANA JAR-TOP-REMOVING DEVICE.

Application filed June 10,

removed from the can, when the handle is swung laterally with a leverage action.

A further feature of the invention 1s the rovision of a clamping member at one or 0th ends of the flexible member, wlth means for forcing arts of the clamping members into firm frlctional engagement with that portion of the flexible member passing therethrough.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a recess at one end of the handle member in which that portion of the flexible member extending across the end of the handle may seat and thus permit the handle to firmly engage the can top or other object around which it is'extended.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of means for assembling and mounting all of said elements in a restricted (sipace and in compact formation on the han- Other objects and advantages will be hereinafter more fully set forth and pointed out in the accompanying specification.

In the accompanying drawing which is made a part of this application, Fig. 1 is a plan View of the device showing one of the cutting elements in operative position; Fig. 2 is an elevation of the device showing the other cutting element and the flexible ele ments in operative positions; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View as seen along line 33, Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a similar view as seen along line 44, Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 is a crosssectional view along line 55, Fig. 2. Referring to the drawing, 1 is the operating handle for the device, which is preferably constructed of wood and substantially square in cross-section, the length of the handle being such that it may be used as a lever when applying or removing can tops.

Cooperating with one end of the handle 1 is a flexible cable 2, preferably of cord, although any suitable material may be used, the ends of the cable 2 extending transversely thru 0 enings in the handle. The ends of the ca le 2 also pass thru tubular clamps 3, which have slits 4 therein, whereby they may be squeezed against that part of 1927. Serial No. 197,878.

the cable passing therethru and the cable held against longitudinal movement. The outer ends of the clamps 3 have enlarged heads 5, the under faces of which are tapered for engagement with the tapered faces 6 of clamping nuts 7, which are threaded onto the lower portions of the clamps 3. The loop portion of the cable 2 is passed around an object 8, and the ends of the cable then drawn thru the clamps 3 until the cable firmly grips the object 8, when the nuts 7 are turne outwardly on the clam s 3 and the split ends of the clamps force against the portions of the cable passing therethru, thus holding the cable against lon itudinal movement. That portion of the ca le adjacent the end of the handle is preferably passed thru a notch 9 in the end of the handle so that the end face of the handle may rest against the face of the object 8 and render a more secure grip on the object as well as abetter leverage for the handle.

A cable 10 is also provided at the opposite end of the handle 1, but in this instance one end of the cable only is attached to the handle, the other end of the cable being free and designed to be grasned and held by the fingers, after it has been looped one or more times around an object 11.

Attached to one face of the handle 1 is a plate 12, one end of which terminates in a cutting blade 13, which rests substantially 1n the same plane'as the handle, the blade being substantially'flatwise to the face of the handle. The cutting edge 14 is preferably curved from end to end and preferably has a shoulder 15 at its upper end to limit the descent of the blade 13 thru the can top or ob ect being severed. At the rear of the blade 13 is a second shoulder 16, which is integral with the blade and bent around over one face of the blade, said shoulder forming a fulcrum point for causing said blade to sever the metal thru which it projects when a rocking action is imparted to the handle or the object being severed. This formof blade may be used for opening objects havlng circular outlines, as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing, or may be used for removing the tops from sardine cans and similarly shaped objects. a

At the opposite end of the plate 12 is a cutting blade 17, which is bent outwardly substantially at right an les to the trend of the plate, this form of b ade being designed primarily for severing tops of circular outline, the blade, in this instance, being swung in a circular path. Cooperating with the blade 17 is a pivot pin 18, depending from and preferably formed integral with a band .19, fitting around and being adjustable on the handle 1. The pivot pin is'first formed flat and then bent so that it will be in circular formation in cross-section, the free end thereof having a tapered portion 20 so that it can be readily forced thru the object to be severed.

In order to prevent the blade 17 moving inwardly towards the pivot pin 18 during the cutting operation, a stop 21 is formed near the outer face of the blade, preferably by striking the stop from the body of the plate 12. The plate 12 is secured to the handle 1, preferably by means of bolts or rivets 22, one of the rivets passing thru the opening formed by striking out the stop 21.

In addition to the cutting elements for removing can tops and the like, means is provided for lifting removable can tops from the cans, one form of device consisting of a plate section 23, having an outwardly inclined section 24 at one end and a rightangular extension 25 at its opposite end, said extension 25 having a claw terminal 26 at its free end, the plate section being attached to the handle 1 by the rivets 22. The element 24 is used for removing a can top by striking the free end thereof against the flange of the top; while the element 26 is employed for lifting the can top by first placing the handle 1 over the can top and engaging the free end of the claw 26 .with the flange of the top and then lifting upwardly on the free end of the handle.

The screw 27 engages the handle 1 near the lever end thereof, and serves to prevent the pivot pin 18 and the band 19 .from slipping inadvertently from said handle.

At one end of the handle 1 is a different form of lid remover, consisting of a straight portion 28, which terminates at one end in a chamfered point 29, while the opposite end 30 is extended outwardly at right angles and terminates in a claw section 31.

' Pivoted on one of the bolts 22 is a corkscrew 32, which nests over the face of the handle 1 when not in use and is held against casual swinging movement thru the medium of a screw 33, the corkscrew 32, when nested over the handle, snapping into the slot in the head of the screw 33.

This device can be very cheaply manufactured, as the cutting parts are first stamped out and then bent into shape and with the association of the various elements on' the one handle, a very compact tool is produced and embodies elements for removing can tops and the like of most any description.

While thedescription and drawing illustrates in a general way certain instrumentalities which may be employed in carrying the invention into effect, it is evident that many modifications may be made in the various details, without departing from the scope of the appended claims, it being understood that the invention is not restricted to the particular forms herein described.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a tool of the class described, a handle, a flexible member associated therewith adapted to extend around an object and attach or remove the same; a tubular clamp at each end of the flexible member for adjusting the length thereof; and means for forcing the clamping members against the flexible member for locking the flexible member in its adjusted position.

2. In a tool of the class described, a handle member; a flexible cable having its ends extended thru openings in said handle; clamping members thru which the ends of the cable slide; and means for squeezing the clamping members in firm engagement with the cable, for holding the cable in adjusted position around an object.

' 3. In a tool of the class described, a handle having transverse openings therethru; a flexible cable having its ends extended thru said openings; slitted clamping members slidable on the end sections of the cable; and means for squeezing said clamping members in firm engagement with the parts of the cable.

4. In a tool of the class described, a handle having a pair of transverse openings therethru and a notch in one end thereof; a cable having its ends extended thru said openings, forming the cable into a loop for engagement with an object to be rotated; clamping members thru which the ends of said cable are slidable; and means for locking the clamping members on the parts of the cable for holding the cable in adjusted position.

In testimony whereof. I have hereunto set my hand on this 25th day of May, 1927.

GEORGE TILLMAN SHELEY. 

